Tips for long distance flights

Business class or economy, a long flight is still a long flight. After years of traveling around the world Blue Label Diving has collected a few ins and outs to make your travel more comfortably. Many people have asked the question “how to avoid a Jet Lag”.

Not possible.

Found in the dictionary: Jet Lag–noun; a temporary disruption of the body’s normal biological rhythms after high-speed air travel through several time zones.

Plus probably pre-travel sleep deprivation. You could adopt the ‘time rhythm’ of your destination to help adjust, so set your watch to the destination time as soon as you are at the airport. When traveling east generally give worse symptoms than those going west.

Never, I repeat NEVER, use plane toilets without wearing shoes. The stewardesses work hard to keep these areas clean but I’m sure you can guess what some of the splashes on the floor are and do you really want to walk in that – and then take it back to your seat? You need loose comfortable shoes as your feet can swell during the flight so I recommend traveling in lightweight sandals or you can even bring some nice comfy socks.

Flight attendants tell me it’s OK to ask for two drinks at a time so you don’t need to call them back in 5 minutes. Remember to drink plenty of water and juice to keep you hydrated, and avoid caffeinated soft drinks, plus tea and coffee. Take a small EMPTY water bottle with you in your hand luggage so you can fill this up during the flight. A lot of people drink alcohol during flights. No problem, I know you are or stressed (business travelers) or on a holiday, so enough reasons to drink, but top it of with enough water. It will save you a headache and swollen ankles!

Since 9/11 there are soooo many restrictions. Most people are annoyed with the  liquid security restrictions. Still we are allowed basic toiletries on board but I advise you to put them in a see through toiletry bag. Everything can be 100ml or less so a small moisturizer, deodorant (nice for your neighbor) toothpaste and brush and something to smooth your lips. Nothing more irritating than people taking too long on the toilets!

If you like to eat early and make sure that you get what you want than order a special meal. With most airlines you can now order that when you are booking your ticket.  Kosher, Halal, vegetarian, lactose free you name it they have it.

Yes “wear” them as it takes less weight in your hand luggage. Remember you’ve got to deal with cold airports at one end, and different levels of air-conditioning on the plane on the other end, so layers are the way to go. The last layer could be something with enough pockets, also saves you hand luggage space.

This is for sure the funniest one. You have these exercises in the inflight magazines. Like you’re going to do that. Just drink enough water so you will have to get up more often. (advise to book an aisle seat). Than on your way to the toilet stretch you arms up and out and if you have to wait for the toilet you can do some other exercises as well. This is for all the people that suffer from fat ankles and fat feet after flying.

Bring something you can sniff from, something with eucalyptus  or open the air vent above you. Facial wipes are damp, place it over your face, and aim the air vent at the cloth and this will help with the dryness.

To help ease lower back pain, place one of the pillows provided between your lower back (just below your ribs) and the seat. If you are trying to get some sleep do support your neck – you can use your own inflatable neck pillow or scrunch one provided by the airline.

Sounds nice but its not really recommended. If you sleep you will not drink or move around. This will make your jet lag worse.

Now a recap of what to bring in your hand luggage:

Neck pillow

Sniffer (eucalyptus)

Facial wipes

Transparent toiletry bag with a small moisturizer, deodorant (nice for your neighbor) toothpaste and brush and something to smooth your lips

Socks or light weight sandals ( you can now also buy compression socks, even better)

Empty water bottle (small)

Layer clothing (light weight)